Sous Chef - Saffron Walden

Sous Chef - Saffron Walden

Full-Time 30000 - 35000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Lounge Café Bars

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the kitchen team, ensuring high-quality food and safety standards.
  • Company: Join a vibrant hospitality group passionate about real cooking.
  • Benefits: Enjoy overtime pay, staff discounts, paid breaks, and 28 days holiday.
  • Other info: Be part of exciting events like Loungefest and enjoy shared tips!
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic kitchen environment with growth opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Sous Chef or Junior Sous Chef with strong kitchen skills.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.

You love real cooking. We love real cooking. Customers love real cooking. It's a no-brainer so you wonder why so many other places don't do it. We do it, and you'll be doing it with us - fresh, customer led, and with high-quality ingredients.

As Sous Chef, you'll be the Head Chef's go-to for support, leading and engaging the kitchen team to deliver 14 great shifts week in, week out. You'll be leading shifts, making sure the kitchen runs effectively and safely. You're as relentless as us about the detail, so you'll be all over things like stocks, Health & Safety and Hygiene, manning the pass to ensure our food goes out on-spec and on-time, and always upholding 5* kitchen standards. You'll be on it.

The Good Stuff

  • Overtime pay for every hour worked over contracted hours!
  • Staff food on every shift
  • 50% off food and drinks (including alcohol) from day one at all three of our brands - Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside
  • Paid breaks
  • 28 days holiday (inclusive of Bank Holidays) pro rata
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after 2 years service
  • The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
  • Competitions and incentives (like jetting off on an all expenses paid trip with one of our suppliers)
  • Company pension scheme
  • Long service awards
  • Power over your pay with Wagestream
  • Emotional and practical support via the Licenced Trade Charity
  • Great opportunity for personal development and career progression in a fast growing business
  • Achievable bonuses
  • Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
  • Christmas and Boxing Day off!

What you'll bring

You are probably an existing Sous Chef, or perhaps a Junior Sous Chef/Assistant Kitchen Manager that is looking to take the next step in their career. You will have experience of working with fresh ingredients and be able to demonstrate good chef/kitchen skills (food prep hot and cold, cleaning, knife skills, good hygiene practices).

Your work ethic is rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in and leading from the front; playing an active role in delivering excellent kitchen and food standards as part of a high performing team. Extremely driven and relentless at deconstructing the can't mentality. Familiar with KPIs and making decisions in the absence of the Head Chef considering labour; stock; food safety requirements plus others.

Epic communication skills with the ability to manage stakeholders and build rapport and trust (that would be with our Ops Chefs and Ops Managers). Strong knowledge of best practice around rota scheduling, sales and labour forecasts, reporting, recruitment, HR etc. You will have demonstrated successful delivery of training and recruitment for kitchen teams including Apprentices, KPs, Chefs, Junior Sous Chefs and Sous Chefs.

If you want to find out more about us, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @thelounges.

Sous Chef - Saffron Walden employer: Lounge Café Bars

Join a vibrant and dynamic team in Saffron Walden, where your passion for real cooking will be celebrated and nurtured. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits including overtime pay, 50% off food and drinks, and opportunities for personal development in a fast-growing business. Experience a supportive work culture that values teamwork, creativity, and career progression, all while enjoying the most talked-about staff party in hospitality!

Lounge Café Bars

Contact Details:

Lounge Café Bars Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sous Chef - Saffron Walden

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Chat with fellow chefs, attend culinary events, and connect with industry folks on social media. You never know when a casual conversation might lead to your next big opportunity.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills in the kitchen! If you can, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demo. This gives you a chance to showcase your talent and passion for real cooking, just like we do at StudySmarter.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Follow up after interviews or trials with a thank-you note. It shows you're keen and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from passionate candidates who are ready to roll up their sleeves and join our kitchen team. Let’s cook up something great together!

We think you need these skills to ace Sous Chef - Saffron Walden

Fresh Ingredient Preparation
Chef Skills
Food Hygiene Practices
Knife Skills
Health & Safety Compliance
Kitchen Management
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Cooking:When you're writing your application, let your love for real cooking shine through! Share your experiences with fresh ingredients and how you’ve contributed to a high-quality kitchen environment. We want to see that you’re as passionate about food as we are!

Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about times you've supported your team or taken charge during busy shifts. We’re looking for someone who can engage and motivate others!

Be Detail-Oriented:We’re all about the details, so don’t forget to mention your knowledge of Health & Safety, Hygiene, and kitchen standards. Include specific examples of how you’ve maintained these standards in your previous roles. It’s all about keeping our kitchen running smoothly!

Apply Through Our Website:Ready to join us? Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed! We love seeing applications that come directly from our site, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of our amazing team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Lounge Café Bars

Know Your Ingredients

Familiarise yourself with the fresh ingredients and cooking techniques that are key to the role. Be ready to discuss your experience with specific dishes or cuisines, and how you ensure quality in every plate. This shows your passion for real cooking, just like they do!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Sous Chef, you'll be leading the kitchen team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed shifts, trained staff, or resolved conflicts in the kitchen. Highlight your ability to motivate others and maintain high standards under pressure.

Understand Health & Safety Standards

Brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations, as well as hygiene practices. Be prepared to discuss how you uphold these standards in your current or previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a 5-star kitchen environment.

Communicate Effectively

Epic communication skills are a must! Think about how you build rapport with your team and other stakeholders. Prepare to share examples of how you've effectively communicated in challenging situations, ensuring everyone is on the same page during busy shifts.